The sound of sleigh bells or a jolly message from Father Christmas will greet anyone sending mail at the special postboxes in the coming weeks.

Four of them are being launched, in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff, and Belfast, installed with sensors which spark the messages. Simon Barker, operations director at Royal Mail, said: Delivering Christmas is our absolute priority this December.

In the process, we enjoy any way we can add a little extra fun to posting Christmas cards this year.